Written in an easy-to-read format and with a casual tone, our blog provides cutting-edge messages in an incisive manner, encouraging readers to think and respond proactively. Simply put — we speak “plane-ly” so our readers can better understand this dynamic industry.

The District of Columbia is among the more than 25 states and jurisdictions that have enacted an anti-SLAPP statute -- SLAPP stands for "strategic lawsuit against public participation." Like other jurisdictions, the D.C. anti-SLAPP statute provides defendants with a procedural vehicle for disposing of litigation aimed at stifling or chilling speech at an early stage.

Les Machado, co-leader of LeClairRyan's Media, Internet and E-Commerce Industry team, provides readers with a general understanding of the D.C. anti-SLAPP law and the evolving case law interpreting this statute. Written with a journalistic flair, Les’ blog offers invaluable insights to anti-SLAPP cases making headlines nationwide.

Franchising is big business. McDonald’s had $28 billion in revenues and $5.6 billion in profits in 2013. Franchising is global. Subway has more than 67,000 shops worldwide. Franchising is also highly regulated. Federal and state laws require franchisors to provide detailed disclosures to prospective franchisees and place limits on a franchisor’s contractual right to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise agreement. Yet, legislators and judges sometimes misconstrue the franchise relationship to the detriment of franchising as a business model.

Tom Pitegoff and other members of LeClairRyan’s Franchise Industry team keep readers informed about judicial, legislative and business changes affecting franchising as they unfold. Written with a pro-franchise voice, the team’s blog posts offer honest opinions about the issues affecting the franchise industry, sage advice to promote franchise practices that are profitable both for franchisors and franchisees, and support for legislative changes that will improve the business of franchising.

No one unifying area of any business changes more rapidly than workplace laws. Federal laws are constantly evolving to increase or decrease regulations in hiring, firing, union activities, healthcare and benefit programs. Savvy employers are keenly aware that state laws (and even local laws) are becoming a more dominant factor in the day-to-day operations of any business or organization. Regardless of industry, the need to protect your workplace from employment liability allegations has moved to the forefront not just for human resources, but for risk management professionals and the executive suite as well.

Betsy Davis and the attorneys on our national labor and employment team deliver concise, topical news to update our clients on the impact and nuances of new policies and politics, court decisions and changes at the DOL, EEOC, NLRB, USCIS and more.

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